I am delighted of your interest in The Downs. Founded
in 1894 on the parklands of Bristol otherwise known as
the downs, the school moved to the estate of Charlton
House, its present site, in 1927. The Headmaster at the
time, Mr Wilfred Harrison, stated that the relocation
was because of the “incessant roar of traffic” and the
“nerve-racking turmoil of the city”. As a consequence
of his vision, today at the end of a long meandering
drive, away from the frantic turmoil of urban life,
approximately two hundred and eighty children excel in
the stunning rural environment of The Downs School.
Our children enjoy a vibrant all round education that
is stimulating, challenging and exciting. Academic study
is important and we expect all our pupils to adopt a
healthy work ethic and achieve high standards but we
believe to truly educate one must celebrate the creative,
the physical and the spiritual as much as the intellectual.
This prospectus will give you an insight into the close
and happy community that is The Downs School. I very
much hope that it serves to heighten your curiosity as I
would be delighted to meet you and our children would
be thrilled to show you their school.

â&#x20AC;&#x153; Pupils thrive in this nurturing,
yet at the same time, demanding
environment.â&#x20AC;?

Learning
to
Learn

Through the creative curriculum and inspirational teaching
we compel our children to embrace curiosity and interest
in the world. We seek for each child to establish a zest for
knowledge and an enquiring mind but the need for focus and
discipline is simultaneously exalted. There is both a strong
work ethic and high expectation at The Downs and each child
is encouraged to stretch the boundaries of their individual
ability. In doing so they are taught to understand their
preferred learning styles and they are increasingly expected
to take responsibility for their own learning. New technologies
are wisely embraced and the traditional methods of teaching
remain valued to create an assiduous environment in which
children learn the lifelong skills of learning.

Through the creative curriculum and inspirational teaching
we compel our children to embrace curiosity and interest
in the world. We seek for each child to establish a zest for
knowledge and an enquiring mind but the need for focus and
discipline is simultaneously exalted. There is both a strong
work ethic and high expectation at The Downs and each child
is encouraged to stretch the boundaries of their individual
ability. In doing so they are taught to understand their
preferred learning styles and they are increasingly expected
to take responsibility for their own learning. New technologies
are wisely embraced and the traditional methods of teaching
remain valued to create an assiduous environment in which
children learn the lifelong skills of learning.

Making
the Most
of Talent

Through the creative curriculum and inspirational teaching
we compel our children to embrace curiosity and interest
in the world. We seek for each child to establish a zest for
knowledge and an enquiring mind but the need for focus and
discipline is simultaneously exalted. There is both a strong
work ethic and high expectation at The Downs and each child
is encouraged to stretch the boundaries of their individual
ability. In doing so they are taught to understand their
preferred learning styles and they are increasingly expected
to take responsibility for their own learning. New technologies
are wisely embraced and the traditional methods of teaching
remain valued to create an assiduous environment in which
children learn the lifelong skills of learning.

Character at The Downs is shaped over time by a strong
set of traditional values and expectations. By constant
and consistent repetition we nurture happy, civilised,
accomplished young adults who go on to make a telling
contribution towards their future communities.
Childhood is cherished. Our young children are encouraged
to be imaginative in their learning and playing and every
opportunity is taken to make the most of our wonderful
park and woodland. They wear wellies, climb trees and make
dens. They make elaborate daisy-chains, delight in playing
conquers and relish bush-craft cooking. The sophisticated
world of mobile devices and adolescence remains at the
front entrance for later life.
Within this healthy, happy and wholesome environment
we seek to nurture unaffected good manners, we embrace
grace and humility, and we applaud the qualities of
friendship, excellence and respect. We encourage and have
high regard for individuality, we endorse aspiration and we
celebrate success. Essentially however, quality of character
is considered equally as important as achievement; our
children learn to value substance of character, to understand
social style and to appreciate the difference between them.

Through the creative curriculum and inspirational
teaching we compel our children to embrace curiosity
and interest in the world. We seek for each child to
establish a zest for knowledge and an enquiring mind
but the need for focus and discipline is simultaneously
exalted. There is both a strong work ethic and high
expectation at The Downs and each child is encouraged
to stretch the boundaries of their individual ability. In
doing so they are taught to understand their preferred
learning styles and they are increasingly expected
to take responsibility for their own learning. New
technologies are wisely embraced and the traditional
methods of teaching remain valued to create an
assiduous environment in which children learn the
lifelong skills of learning.

Pupils achieve many outstanding individual and team successes in sport, often at a national or international level.

Through the creative curriculum and inspirational
teaching we compel our children to embrace curiosity
and interest in the world. We seek for each child to
establish a zest for knowledge and an enquiring mind
but the need for focus and discipline is simultaneously
exalted. There is both a strong work ethic and high
expectation at The Downs and each child is encouraged
to stretch the boundaries of their individual ability. In
doing so they are taught to understand their preferred
learning styles and they are increasingly expected
to take responsibility for their own learning. New
technologies are wisely embraced and the traditional
methods of teaching remain valued to create an
assiduous environment in which children learn the
lifelong skills of learning.